Bleed key

[fabien]

Last November, we had issues with the pressure in the system.
It turned out that all radiators needed to be bled; however standard bleed key do not fit and at the end we had to bring in a plumber.
He said that our radiators were an old type of radiators and bleed key can't be find in diy shop and I need to go to a specialist shop.

Do you understand what type of key it is?
The key looked like that:
Rear Access Radiator Vent Bleed Key Tommy Bar | eBay

Do you think that's the right one or is that's just a standard key to access the rear?
If not where can I find them online? We have problems with the pressure again and I think the radiators need to be bled again.

Thanks

 

[Phil]

The key in the link is just a standard size one with different handle, did the plumber have the right key or did he leave without bleeding?

 

[fabien]

He had the key and it looked like the one on the link because of the handle.

I moved to that house last June so it was my first winter in it. When I asked the landlady if she had the key she said no because of tenant loosing it. I am not sure if she realises the type of key needed and I wonder when was the last time radiators have been bled.

I went yesterday to my local DIY shop. He had bleed keys but not the one for my size. He said I would have to go to B&Q or to a plumbing shop. To be honest I would prefer to buy it online, it would save me a journey, only if I knew where to buy it from and what I had to buy exactly.

 

[PlumbBobBob]

does a normal key not fit at all? or is the bleed plug rounded off slightly

 

[fabien]

does a normal key not fit at all? or is the bleed plug rounded off slightly

No it does not fit at all, key is too big.

Don't anyone know where I can find those keys. It would be silly to call the plumber everytime the radiators need to be bled.

 

[Simon F]

No it does not fit at all, key is too big.

Don't anyone know where I can find those keys. It would be silly to call the plumber everytime the radiators need to be bled.

do you mean its to big because the radiator is to close to the wall?
if the one you showed on ebay seems correct, just send for it, if its wrong its only a couple of pounds,
I haven't seen those before, but for the price i will be getting one for tight spaces, thanks for the link

 

[fabien]

Do you think this would help? but which valve?
Radiator bleeding key & brass bleed valves 3mm 6mm 13mm | eBay


What size is a standard bleed key?

 

[Simon F]

Do you think this would help? but which valve?
Radiator bleeding key & brass bleed valves 3mm 6mm 13mm | eBay
What size is a standard bleed key?

the key is the same for the valves shown, its the thread sizes that are different

 

[fabien]

do you mean its to big because the radiator is to close to the wall?

Not too close. The key fit in but does not grip to the radiator valve.
English is not my first language. Sorry if I am not clear.

 

[PlumbBobBob]

can you see the bleed screw? does it look like it is rounded on the edges?

 

[fabien]

can you see the bleed screw? does it look like it is rounded on the edges?

It's definitely a square.

 

[PlumbBobBob]

right fabien what you need to do is get a brass key and look in the end you will see that at the end the sides go out at an angle for a short distance before they go straight in. you need to get a file and get rid of the bit that is at an angle so you end up with just straight sides. this should then fit on your bleed screws which are slightly rounded on the corners.

 

[PlumbBobBob]

you need the end to look like this not this

 

[fabien]

you need the end to look like this View attachment 4918 not this View attachment 4919

Can that type of key be bought anywhere? I don't have a file.

 

[PlumbBobBob]

yes if you print off the picture and take it to a plumbers merchant they should be able to get one for you. otherwise use a file on one of the others until it looks like the second one. you just want the sides to be square.

 

[aido]

It would be a good idea to scrape around the bleed screw to remove a build up of paint, it will enable the key to push on to the screw further .

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

fabian the key with the bar you show in your first post should fit the vent pins on your rads i have one for this reason and it seems to work